June 2, 2010

Microsoft Responds To Google Phase Out Reports

Microsoft has publicly defended its Windows operating system amid reports that Google disowned the software internally due to security concerns.

Microsoft felt that stories published in the Financial Times and elsewhere warranted a fast, firm rebuttal.

The Times reported that unnamed sources said that new hires at the U.S. Internet colossus have been given the option of using Apple's Macintosh operation system or machines running on Linux open-source software.

The sources said this move was part of a "security effort" triggered by an attack from China-based hacker that led to Google shutting down its filtered search engine in that country.

Google is also believed to be interested in shifting to the Chrome operating system it is building as a rival to Windows.

"There's been some coverage overnight about the security of Windows and whether or not one particular company is reducing its use of Windows," Brandon LeBlanc of Microsoft said in a blog post at the technology giant's website.

"We thought this was a good opportunity to set the record straight."

LeBlanc spoke of Windows safeguards and said that security concerns have also been aimed at software built by Google and Apple.

"When it comes to security, even hackers admit we're doing a better job making our products more secure than anyone else," he said.

"And it's not just the hackers; third-party influentials and industry leaders like Cisco tell us regularly that our focus and investment continues to surpass others."